(11/10/2020) Made Perfect By Divinity

Today, reply is on the requirement that covenant relationship as a Christian demands “perfection”. Followers of Jesus Christ are to be made divine in their nature and possibilities through the final sacred acts that complete the transformation of mankind to exist as an eternal companion to divinity. Like depending on Jesus to provide immortality and incorruptibility, submitting to be made perfect through the operations of GOD does not discourage, intimidate, or go beyond what followers of the Lord will accomplish by relying on the finished works of Christ. It is written: 1^st Corinthians 15: 50-57, King James Version (KJV): 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality who uses the ID “jimmie” (Level 1 with 242 points) posted the following:

Since even the prophets weren't perfect people how are we supposed to be perfect?

God forgives

Updated 29 secs ago:

God is real

THE GOLDEN ARROW: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1: 2-4, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Spirits Are Subject (10/28/2020); Spiritual Integrity and Maturity (05/12/2020); They Which Are Called (04/09/2020); Pray For Your Enemies? (01/03/2020); Spiritual Combat Against Sin (10/11/2019); The Perfection Of Divinity (09/17/2019); How Sinners Become Perfect (11/26/2018)

“jimmie”, among Christians, to be “perfect” is to lack nothing, and to be in a divine process of transformation, yet, to display fullness, integrity, and soundness. There are assurances and promises from GOD that seal and make divine proclamations and prophecy as if “already done.” Perfection may be attributed to someone (i.e., imputed) even though it is developing and ongoing. In the same way our becoming adult requires that we increasingly display maturity (such features as accountability, balance, consistency, sobriety, stability) and do not simply age or get older, sinners who become “born again” following the death and burial of their inborn spirit through water baptism must “grow up again” and be made ripe for harvest from the earth by Jesus Christ at his coming. The final operations to establish perfection are completed as those in resurrection and those lifted up go to meet the Savior in the air. While still on the earth, sinners are to acknowledge forbearance, forgiveness and divine restraint that are expressions of celestial grace, rather than the direct outcomes and results of divine judgment. Every Christian believer must undergo permanent change that is provided by multiple operations of the Holy Spirit. Included are edification, gradual growth, justification, repentance, reconciliation, sanctification, and willingness to perform unselfish service. Along with demonstrating the “patience of the saints,” those who will follow Christ are to exist as the new creation displaying divine substance such as longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, praise, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Believers are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus within their own lifestyle and daily routines. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible and a selection from the music ministry of Babbie Mason:

(1.) 1^st Kings 8: 57-66, King James Version (KJV): 57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: 58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. 59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: 60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. 62 And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD. 63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD. 64 The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings. 65 And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days. 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.

(2.) Matthew 5: 43-48, KJV: 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

(3.) Romans 4: 8-13, KJV: 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Pray On by Babbie Mason @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agh0uZZ0Bxc.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 1:00 PM, November 10, 2020 @ https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/23/2018) Poem: TO BE TOLD

Today, I share an original poem I recently posted at Facebook (October 21, 2018, 9:09 PM), TO BE TOLD, BE STILL. Existing as a servant to GOD and abiding in a relationship with divinity poses many challenges to romantic love as well as to the hopes for family, home, and the stable relations of marriage. Endowed with mountain-moving faith, the Apostle Peter and others who were married made the sacrifice for many years separated from their wives while serving as evangelists and circuit preachers. It is written: Matthew 19: 23-30, King James Version (KJV): 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6: 66-68, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Discernment And Godly Love (06/26/2018); The Relationship As Servant (06/03/2018); The Practice of Love (07/27/2017); 1st “Poem-fall” 2017: THE SNOWFLAKE BALL (01/10/2017); Divine Jealousy? (09/11/2015); A Valentine, 2014 (02/15/2014); Family and Romance? (10/13/2012); Why Courage? (10/14/2012)

TO BE TOLD, BE STILL

It disturbs us to be told

be still and know

for the winter days begin

when we shall be encased in snow

and ice, all action frozen, paused

unwillingly, impotent, halted

like the sunshine process in the leaf

that turns the light to sweetness

from the root

Is it by stillness only fullness comes

the emptiness from all you know

dismissed, released

the days of frost rush over

hidden bulbs to bloom

in spring that may not be

how shall we bare or dare

without you

an evergreen of forest

can not exist alone

nor lovers without each other

embrace a new unknown

glacial abrasion, melting from

a heat of burning cold

putting aside our

youth with all its rage

succumbing to the quiet of old age

defiance and rebellion came

as wise, without deceit

and stealth, without fresh lies

through stolen moments

kisses fresh as dew

creating memories

that keep us new

and joined alive to life

what God has joined together

celebrate, receive as blessing

should deadly chill winds echo

I will never ever leave

and though we be apart

when shadows fall

in strength of what we share

I will not grieve

©Michael Andrew Williams, 2018. All rights reserved.

There is far more that should be considered, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(07/13/2017) Meekness, Mortality and Salvation?

 

Today, reply is made that highlights connections among meekness, mortality, and salvation.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “carmen” (Level 1 with points, a member since March 02, 2015) posted the following:


If God intended for us to die why does Psalms 37:11,29 say the meek and righteous will live forever on earth?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:  and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  (1st Thessalonians 4:  16-18, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Discernment, Focus and Meekness? (07/07/2017); The Gift of Humility (02/19/2017); The Gift of Meekness (11/25/2014); Concerning Meekness (11/26/2014); Face to Face Like Moses? (01/28/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014); The Meek Will Inherit (10/16/2012)


“carmen”, what mature Christian believers speak of as the “plan of salvation” goes far beyond merely teaching mankind to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of GOD.  Correctly understood, created beings and living creatures are being entered into a process of transformation to become immortal, incorruptible companions of divinity.  The elect are those drawn to GOD; receptive to the Holy Spirit (meek); and who meet pre-set divine standards that address such elements as willingness to maintain covenant promises, acceptance of gradual growth and permanent changes introduced by GOD, acknowledgment of accountability within relationships as well as readiness to endure hardship and suffering to fulfill eternal purposes.

As the elect hear and respond to the gospel, to prophecy, and to the preaching of the cross, they are built up and nourished with spirit content from the makeup of GOD.  (We could say, a sinner’s inborn spirit dies, is buried, and is replaced with divine DNA.)  A believer undergoes an adoption of the Spirit, becomes anointed as a son or daughter of GOD, serves as a vessel that should be filled with divine substance, and is a joint-heir of GOD with Jesus Christ.  Inseparable aspects of divinity are imparted to indwell the developing believer such as gratitude, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.   The “born again” believer is not yet “perfect”, and must both “grow up again,” and be made ripe (i.e., mature) for the appointed time when the Lord removes all those who are his from the earth (we say, Advent, harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming). 

Believers continue to be subject to aging, death, and other life conditions while on the earth; and also may complete their condition of mortality (die).  All who have lived on the earth (the righteous and the wicked) will be raised from the dead to continue their eternal life begun while alive on the earth, or to answer final judgment and what is called the second death (total destruction within the Lake of Fire).  Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.)  Numbers 12:  1-9, King James Version (KJV):  1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married:  for he had married an Ethiopian woman.  2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.  3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)  4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.  5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam:  and they both came forth.  6 And he said, Hear now my words:  If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.  7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.  8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold:  wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?  9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.

(2.)  1st Corinthians 15:  21-26, KJV:  21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  23 But every man in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.  24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  1st Corinthians 15:  50-55, KJV:  50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/31/2016) The Wisdom of Years?

Today, experience, knowledge and wisdom from GOD are topics along with suffering and the ministries of David the son of Jesse.  A new writer  at “Yahoo! Answers (India)” using the ID “robyn” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since October 30, 2016) posted the following:

What does it mean I was young but Am now old psalms 37.25?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:  and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth:  and he shall smite the earth:  with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together:  and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:  for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek:  and his rest shall be glorious.  (Isaiah 11:  1-10, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  How To Get Faith? (10/10/2016); Anointed, Consecrated and Installed (08/04/2016); GOD Within Christian Believers (07/31/2016); To Foster Godly Sorrow (03/11/2016); Called of GOD? (08/02/2015); The Priesthood of Kings (10/17/2012); Childlike Faith (10/18/2012)

“robyn”, those who serve the Lord in the most sensitive and useful sacred roles must receive life essence (breath, spirit, word) from GOD and acquire sacred knowledge.  Mature Christian believers receive Psalms 37 as words from the prophet and psalmist David, the son of Jesse, whom GOD anointed and called into service while still a teenager keeping his father’s sheep.  Early in his ministry that concluded with his rule as king over the covenant peoples of GOD, David shared sacred testimony and witness regarding the active presence of GOD within mankind by using the devices of psalms and music to impart spirit content from the makeup of Deity.  Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, love, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  To prophesy is to comfort, edify (build up; reinforce the power and strength of ones spirit), exhort (urge to take correct, godly action), and unselfishly serve (we say, minister) through praise, prayer, and thanksgiving.  The endowment imparted to David sanctified him to serve in multiple sacred roles.  Thus, just as he operated as King over a unified nation (that later became 2 separate kingdoms), David served as Commander of the Army, an embodiment of earlier men in service to GOD (e.g., Adam, Abraham, Moses) and Messiah who would come from his loins, Judge (one sent to deliver the people of GOD), High Priest, a spokesperson for both divinity and humanity as well as one who endures suffering.  As part of his work to return the Ark of the Covenant to the tabernacle, and establish a Temple and Sanctuary to honor GOD, David behaved as the High Priest by organizing the service rotations for the Priests and Levites, and establishing the use of psalms as liturgy.  An indispensable aspect of service to divinity is the work of revealing GOD to be the source for ones awareness and will power (we say, self-will) that equip the living to undergo unwanted changes, conflict, confusion, hardship, homelessness, fear, and uncertainty as well as discernment to recognize and resist sin.  The wisdom that comes with aging, growing up, and maturing (we say, “the wisdom of years”) often is made up of secular knowledge only, and is not useful for the higher roles of sacred service.  Consider the following:

(1.)  Job 32:  5-13, King James Version (KJV):  5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.  6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.  7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.  8 But there is a spirit in man:  and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise:  neither do the aged understand judgment.  10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.  11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.  12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:  13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom:  God thrusteth him down, not man.

(2.)  John 3:  4-12, KJV:  4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  1st Timothy 4:  11-13, KJV:  11 These things command and teach.  12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/10/2016) How To Get Faith?

Today, focus is on how atheism, feelings of depression, and self-destruction can be overcome by receiving belief in Jesus Christ.  Secular knowledge and our dependence upon operations and practices from the flesh and the world must be replaced by sacred knowledge and cooperation with the works of divine Spirit.  A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (Singapore)” ID “mrsrobot” (Level 3 with 1,005 points, a member since June 26, 2016) posted the following:

How to believe in god?

i feel like life itself has no meaning and everyone can just commit suicide whenever they feel like it. it has been this way ever since i realized i was an atheist ( im quite young) i just want to have faith in something...i want to have faith in god like i used to please tell me what to do?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  (2nd Timothy 1:  7, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Church Attendance and Inheritance (09/11/2016); Simple and Mature Faith (09/05/2016); Not Through Human Will? (01/29/2016); How Can Christians Believe? (08/12/2014); The Sin of Pride? (08/13/2014); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); Suffering for Suicide? (12/12/2012); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012)

“mrsrobot”, be encouraged!  The “believing” you’re talking about can only be put into place by GOD.  Every mature Christian believer has had to endure periods when they felt afraid, confused and uncertain about the importance, meaning, and value of their own lives.  Created beings and living creatures must begin being grounded only in things carnal, material, and social.  A transformation and permanent changes must occur whereby they also may focus upon “spirit”.  Once a sinner becomes anchored with the understanding that their lives matter to the Almighty Creator, who is spirit, many of the obstacles, sorrows and worries they suffer are permanently overcome, and put behind them.  The process of GOD for a person to have a new experience of life and their own inner makeup is called “becoming born again” and “rebirth” that also require gradually “growing up” again.  While growth (i.e., aging; biological and natural development of ones body, mind, skill, etc.) and learning (i.e., acquiring and using new information; applying finite intellectual tools such as logic, measurement, philosophy, science, and critical thinking) are involved, the most necessary feature is the imparted, indwelling spirit of GOD (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  Inseparable aspects of the divine makeup must be received and applied.  Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Such spirit content is communicated and passed on through divine law, through fellowship as believers that may include attending church, through the holy writings, through preaching, and through performing good works.  Consider how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 10:  13-17, King James Version (KJV):  13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(2.)  John 3:  6-8, KJV:  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

(3.)  1st Corinthians 2:  9-14, KJV:  9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:  for they are foolishness unto him:  neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  John 3:  17-21, KJV:  17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  18 He that believeth on him is not condemned:  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC